hike it baby 30 | april 2020.

We participated in our SEVENTH Hike It Baby 30 Challenge this month, an initiative to get families to spend more time outside. These challenges are always so fun for us, because we keep a detailed record of all the memories we're making. I don't always keep track of how long we're outside on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis -- but I always do during challenge months. 

The challenge, itself, is this: hike/walk/bike 30 miles with your kids and/or spend 30 minutes outside 3 days a week with your kids. This challenge was very different for us for a lot of different reasons, because of the wonky season the world is currently in. We didn't log a single mile on the trails, which made me sad at first. This was the first time this has ever happened, and I was disappointed because I had six hikes on the calendar. One of our goals for 2020 is to become Ultimate Outsiders (visiting all 47 SC State Parks), and we were going to make some traction towards meeting that goal this month. That didn't happen (obviously), buuuuuuuuuut this ended up being one of my favorite challenges ever!

Why?

Because 1) we adventured around new streets near us and got creative with every walk, and 2) Teesh got to join us for almost every mile! This was a huge treat for us, because this was the first challenge that all four of us have been a part of the whole way through. At first I was really sad that we wouldn't be out and about for Braxton's final challenge before he starts kindergarten in the fall. But this season of quarantine actually gave us a big gift -- time together. No amount of trails hiked or plans fulfilled can compare to that gift.

And speaking of the challenge...

For us, we logged a total of 41 MILES on the pavement AND spent a whopping total of 176 HOURS outside during the month of April! WOWZA!! That time outside breaks down to an average of 6 hours of outside time each day. This is the most time we've ever spent outside during a challenge, and we owe it in part to the gooooooorgeous weather we've had all month long. It, also, helps that we love our town and our yard so much. Thankful, thankful!

This season has reminded me a lot of my childhood. Playing in the yard, talking with neighbors, waving to people who pass by, using nothing more than our imagination to have fun. I didn't have a fancy childhood, but I did have a good one. I remember the good moments more than I do the not-so-good ones, and I believe that's God's gift of grace covering my life. My little ones already have different stories than both TJ and I had (because everyone has a unique story), and I hope that one day they'll look back on their life as small children and remember two things first: 1) that they were loved beyond measure and 2) that life was good. I hope that when they look through old pictures of what their life was years from now, they thank God for the great gift we got to live inside -- being together.

Trail Hikes: 0

Trail Miles: 0

Total Miles: 41

Total minutes outside: 10,771

April 2016 // September 2016

April 2018 // September 2018

April 2019 // September 2019

bargeron barn | plywood + wrap.

Once the roof was on and the walls were framed, it was time to cover the necessary areas with plywood and wrap it up. We were able to save a little bit of money by using the old walls instead of having to cover the whole shell with plywood, and we were grateful for that. Some of the outer wall was rotten, so TJ replaced those areas with planks he pulled from an inside wall. Yep, if we're anything, it's resourceful. LOL!

This phase was especially exciting, because it gave us a real picture of what it would look like when it's finished. Eeeeek! Seeing it all "put together" up to this point confirmed that we made a good decision in terms of the design of the front. And once again, our (wonderful) friend, Methus, showed up to help so many evenings after work to help us make progress.

We completed this part in between removing the old roof and putting the new roof on, and both this step and the last finished up within a day or two of each other.

Here is how it progressed...

We still have a little bit of framing to do with the middle door, but we think in about another week or so that the outside will be finished and ready for doors to be built. The two outer doors will be 7 feet tall, and will both latch and open similar to french doors. The large middle door will be 8 feet tall. and it will roll open on metal tracks. We're already dreaming of summer and fall days / nights out here with the middle doors rolled open and friends / family / neighbors gathered inside and out. Being so close to finishing makes my hospitality-lovin' self SO excited!

Also, don't miss Braxton's "garage" right in the middle of everything. He has been building all day every day right alongside Teesh, hammering in nails and designing his own little space. It's been so cute to watch him work! Bethany is more of a supervisor (shocker), but she has been right there with him most days. Braxton told us that he wants to be a "builder" when he grows up, and we think that's a great job. I told him he could start on my beach house whenever he's ready. LOL!

All four of us have been out here nearly every waking hour of every day for the past month, bonding over dreams and budgets and manual labor. I'm extra grateful for a husband who finishes what he starts with such integrity, and I'm, also, grateful that each of us have had a hand in making this renovation come to life. Our family motto is "teamwork makes the dream work," and this is another example of that proving to be true. It's so fun to be doing this project together!

Stay tuned for all that will follow. Yay for progress!

bargeron barn | walls + roof.

After concrete was poured, it was time to start framing the walls inside the building! The original layout of the barn was three open bays and an enclosed room. We had no good use for so many open bays, so we switched things up a bit. Instead, we reframed the space to have a bay for the Chevelle, the original enclosed room (to be a tool room / man cave), and a (new) large room for gathering and hanging out. We are so excited to see this space come to life!

Up next was the roof. The original metal roof was very old, rusted, and had lots of holes in it. We replaced it with a new metal roof that has an earthy green color. TJ removed the old roof AND put the new roof on by himself (beast mode), and it only took him a few days from start to finish. He's not someone who sits on a project when he has it, so he knocked it out really quickly. I helped as much as I could, mainly by being his spotter. LOL.

We are SO pleased with how the roof turned out! We love the color we chose, and it's going to look so good with the new siding when we get to that point. One downside of the new roof is that we won't be able to see it because of the direction the roof slants. It's a bummer to spend so much money on something you'll never see, BUT it will certainly do its job at keeping us/the barn protected. 

This is what the roof looked like BEFORE:

And this is what the roof looks like now / AFTER:

We're gettin' there, y'all! Stay tuned for what the next box on our list is to get a check!

bargeron barn | dirt + concrete.

The first thing we needed to do to get this revitalization under way was to get some concrete poured. The floors were previously dirt, and the concrete had to be set before the walls could start going up. TJ and our (amazing) friend, Methus, had to do a little bit of framing before it could be poured, too, so we could have everything sturdy.

The kids had a BLAST playing in the huuuuuuuuge dirt pile that sat for about a week before it was time to pour! There were lots of extra laundry and baths that week (LOL), and they were both sad when it was time to use it to prep for the concrete. Our kids tend to stick to this motto -- the dirtier they are, the happier they are. And we don't mind a bit!

Once the dirt was down, the framing came next. And after framing, came the concrete! This initial step was 60% of our budget (yep, concrete is that expensive), and we were SO pumped to write that check. We have been saving for this project since last year, and this is our biggest project yet. Meaning, our biggest project ever. To say we're excited and proud and grateful to be able to move forward with it right now doesn't even scratch the surface. Who knew concrete could be so thrilling! LOL!

And there ya have it -- a happy Teesh standing in "Daddy's garage" (as Braxton calls it, although I disapprove of the name). Isn't he the cutest? He's been working on out there for a whole month, and he gets antsy if he goes a few days without anything to do. Side note: Lowe's pick up has been a huge help in making his dreams come true, so shout out to them for making it possible to still shop during this crazy season of life.

I had one condition for the concrete. If we were going to spend that much money on it, we were going to brand it! We *barely* got our hands into the wet mix before it dried, and I *almost* died from the close call. Whew. Thaaaaankfully, the crisis was averted and we got to make it happen. Shout it with me now -- HALLELUJAH! These handprints mean so, so much.

This project means a whole lot, too.

There's a hint in a previous picture of what step comes next. Stay tuned, friends!

round two | home sweet bargeron.

So, apparently we have a thing for buying houses with worn out sheds in the backyard.

Our first one had to be completely torn down, cleared out, and rebuilt because it was in such bad shape. It took us a year to complete that project from start to finish, and TJ was like a kid on Christmas morning during the whole process. That was six years ago, back when we were new homeowners, didn't have a lot of extra cash, and were gearing up to welcome our first baby into the world. I can still remember how thrilling it was for us to pay for and build something of our very own. We thought we were big stuff!

See the highlights from that fun project here.

Now, we find ourselves in the same spot again! This go 'round will be a strenuous one like the last one was, but in different ways. This revitalization (as I'm calling it) is larger, more expensive, and will be better-built than our first building project was, and we've been brainstorming and saving like maniacs since last year to make it happen. We officially began the renovation in March, and our hope is to be done with this project by the end of Summer 2020. The good news it that we're on our way to making it happen. Soooo exciting! And honestly, unbelievable. Another dream coming to life right before our eyes.

This is what it looked like before:

Just like our house, this space had a lot of potential but was suuuuuper intimidating to begin. Our plan is to close it in, add several barn doors, combine the two middle bays you see above into a recreation room (of sorts), and use the two outer bays for the Chevelle and a tool area / man cave.

We can't wait to keep making progress! It will look similar to our last barn (because we both love that style), with small tweaks along the way. For now, let's just pray that TJ is able to balance patience with excitement. Just like before, he's like a kid on Christmas morning and is ready for it to be DONE! LOL.

To see our last process from start to finish: Bungalow Renovations.

To see what projects we've done so far at our new house: Renovations on Georgia Street.

curb appeal | home sweet bargeron.

Of all the things we've done to our home since we purchased it in December 2016, this update is my most favorite! I have been honest about my first impression of the outside of the house when we went to check it out for the first time -- it had potential, buuuuut it was going to take a whole lot of hard work to get it to where we wanted it. Another honest statement -- it has been SO much fun making it "our own" over these past 3.5 years! Going at our own pace has been so gratifying, too, because we've been able to dream together, save together, and practice patience along the way.

When we first moved in, we thought it would be ten years before we got to the point we're at now. Part of that mindset was because we were so overwhelmed by all that needed to be done, and the other part was the biiiig financial commitment it would take. We're so proud to be ahead of our original schedule, working hard to do things responsibly and reasonably. And we're even more proud to say that our house no longer looks like a "rental" that is "empty" -- yep, I still think about those womens' words from 2018. They lit a fire in me, and I channeled it for our good. LOL!

Last year, we were able to complete a few large projects to get us closer to our goal. And this year, our hope is that we will have all of our home projects COMPLETE by the end of 2020 so we can switch our financial focus by 2021. A huge chunk of our savings has gone towards these renovations this year and last year, and it will be so exciting to enter a new financial chapter!

Now, without further adieu, here is the progression of having ZERO curb appeal to having MAJOR curb appeal...

January 2017
*One month after we moved in.

February 2018
*We decided to rip everything up and start fresh. This process took about a year.

March 2019
*We got a new roof and extended it to over our porch.

April 2019
*We painted porch beams white and added pickets.

March 2020
*We have now have PLANTS, y'all! Beautiful, unique plants, flowers, and shrubs that were planted with so much love.

We got all of our plants from Martin Garden Center, and started digging and planting as soon as we got home. I wanted a mix of unique plants, and I had one non-negotiable -- HYDRANGEAS! I've always wanted a yard with bright hyrdangeas scattered throughout, and my dream finally became a reality. Eeeeek! After we planted, Teesh got our mulch from Henson's in Simpsonville. And because we're nuts, we did the buying, digging, planting, and mulching all in one day. Whew! My birthday was the next day, and my man wanted me to wake up to my dream yard. Yep, he's wonderful.

We came in under budget for this project (YAAAAAS!), even with the additions of adding gutters to the front porch AND buying those three gorgeous ferns you see hanging between the pillars. Shout out to our friends, Connor and Dusti at Burdette Hardware, for those! I just love a porch with hanging ferns, and I'm so excited to be in the club now.

There's nothing like beholding the fruit of your labor, and this was definitely true after we stepped back and looked at our house that we're so proud of. She has come so far!

About to load up and ready to head home to start planting!

My man and me, compliments of our little photographer, Braxton. LOL!

TJ dug a long trench to put our gutters underground. So far, it has worked great!

Our landscaping update is now just over three weeks new, and I'm still swooning. It still feels so surreal for this big project to be behind us. This was the most important thing to me from the first minute I laid eyes on the house, but it took time and a lot of hard work to complete it. We have probably spent a total of months digging up shrubs, planting grass seeds, getting trees cut down, cleaning up, etc. since December 2016, and I don't regret a second of it. It has been AMAZING to watch our dream come to life!

Many of our neighbors have lived in their homes for many years, and several of them have repeatedly told me how they've loved watching us bring it back to life again. A few of them have even asked us if we're fixing it up to sell it, and we quickly tell them no. We don't know what the future will hold, but we are very content to stay here for a looooong time, which is sort of becoming counter-cultural. We view our home as an investment in more ways than one.

I still can't believe what a huge transformation our home as undergone in just three years! Just look at the difference...

JANUARY 2017 // APRIL 2020

Stay tuned for what's next for Home Sweet Bargeron! This process has taught us a lot of things, but mainly this -- never underestimate the power of a DREAM and a BUDGET!